brake fluid TOYOTA AVALON 2008 XX30 / 3.G Owners Manual

121
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
NOTICE
■
Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
● Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for a
long time. 
Doing so may damage the power steering pump.
● When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■ If you hear a squealing or scrapin g noise (brake pad wear limit indica-
tors)
Have your Toyota dealer check and replace the brake pads as soon as pos-
sible. 
The rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
■ If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
● It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
● The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Replace a flat tire with a new one. ( P. 385)
■ When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle.
● Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following.
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, trans-
mission, differentials, etc.
● Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possi-
ble) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

296
4-2. Maintenance
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
General maintenance
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
Battery • Maintenance-free ( P. 318)
Brake fluid • At the correct level? ( P. 315)
Engine coolant • At the correct level? ( P. 313)
Engine oil • At the correct level? ( P. 308)
Exhaust system • No fumes or strange sounds?
Power steering fluid • At the correct level? ( P. 316)
Radiator/condenser/hoses • Not blocked with foreign matter?

( P. 314)
Washer fluid • At the correct level? ( P. 321)
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be per-
formed at the intervals specified in the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner’s” Manual Supplem ent”. It is recommended that
any problem you notice should be brought to the attention of your
Toyota dealer or qualified service shop for advice.

300
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself ser vice precautions
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct
procedure given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condition ( P. 318)
•Warm water
• Baking soda
• Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level ( P. 315)
• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine coolant level ( P. 313)
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or similar high quality ethylene
glycol based non-silicate, non-
amine, non-nitrite and non-borate
coolant with long-life hybrid
organic acid technology.
For the U.S.A.: 
“Toyota Super Long Life Cool-
ant” is pre-mixed with 50% cool-
ant and 50% deionized water.
For Canada: 
“Toyota Super Long Life Cool-
ant” is pre-mixed with 55% cool-
ant and 45% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding cool- ant)
Engine oil level ( P. 308)
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or
equivalent
• Rag or paper towel, funnel (used only for adding engine oil)

306
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Engine compar tment
Engine coolant reservoir
(  P. 313)
Power steering fluid 
reservoir ( P. 316)
Engine oil filler cap 
(  P. 309)
Engine oil level dipstick 
(  P. 308)
Brake fluid reservoir 
(  P. 315)Fuse box ( P. 344)
Battery ( P. 318)
Radiator ( P. 314)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P. 314)
Washer fluid tank 
( P. 321)

4
Maintenance and care
315
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Brake fluid
■ Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be
between the “MAX” and “MIN”
lines on the tank.
Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary items.
■ Adding fluid
Fluid typeFMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
ItemsClean funnel
■ Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air
Excess moisture in the fluid can cause a dangerous loss of braking effi-
ciency. Use only newly opened brake fluid.
CAUTION
■When filling the reservoir
Take care because brake fluid can harm your hands or eyes and damage
painted surfaces. 
If fluid gets in your eyes, flush your eyes with clean water immediately.
If you still experience discomfort, see a doctor.

316 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Power steering fluid■ Fluid level
The fluid level should be within the appropriate range.
Full (when hot)
Add fluid (when hot)
Full (when cold)
Add fluid (when cold)
Hot: The vehicles has been driven around 50 mph (80 km/h) for 20 minutes, or slightly longer in frigid temperatures. (Fluid tem-
perature, 140 F - 175F [60C - 80 C]).
Cold: The engine has not been run for about 5 hours. (Room tem- perature, 50 F - 85F [10C - 30 C]).
NOTICE
■If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads
wear or when the fluid level in the accumulator is high. 
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it may indicate a serious pro\
blem.

366
5-1. Essential information
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably
needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
■ Visible symptoms
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle 
(Water dripping from the air cond itioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points
higher than normal
■ Audible symptoms
●Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine
■ Operational symptoms
●Engine missing, stumbling or running rough
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, s pongy feeling, pedal almost
touches the floor

370
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a war ning light tur ns on or a war ning buzzer sounds...
Stop the vehicle immediately. Continuing to drive the vehicle
may be dangerous.The following warning indicates a possible problem in the brake sys-
tem. Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your
Toyota dealer.
*: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer:
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven at a speed of approxi-
mately 3 mph (5 km/h) or more.
Warning lightWarning light/Details

(U.S.A.)

(Canada)
Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)*
• Low brake fluid
• Malfunction in the brake systemThis light also comes on when the parking brake is not
released. If the light turns off after the parking brake is
fully released, the system is operating normally.
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights turn
on or flash. If a light turns on or flashes, but then turns off, this does
not necessarily indicate a malfunction in the system.

411
6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Automatic transaxle
*: The fluid capacity is the quantity of reference. If replacement is necessary,
contact your Toyota dealer.
Brakes
*1: Minimum pedal clearance when depressed with a force of 110 lbf (490 N, 50 kgf) while the engine is running.
*2: Parking brake pedal travel when depressed with a force of 66 lbf (294 N, 30 kgf).
Fluid capacity*6.8 qt. (6.4 L, 5.6 lmp.qt.)
Fluid type Toyota Genuine ATF WS
NOTICE
■Automatic transmission fluid type
Using automatic transmission fluid other than “Toyota Genuine ATF WS”
may cause deterioration in shift quality, locking up of your transmission
accompanied by vibration, and ultimately damage the automatic transmis-
sion of your vehicle.
Pedal clearance *12.4 in. (61 mm) Min.
Pedal free play Less than 0.04  0.24 in. (1.0  6.0 mm)
Brake pad wear limit 0.04 in. (1.0 mm)
Parking brake pedal 
travel *29  11 c l i c k s
Parking brake lining wear
limit 0.04 in. (1.0 mm)
Fluid type
SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3

443
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Alphabetical index
Alphabetical index
A/C ............................................ 178
ABS........................................... 163
Air conditioning systemAir conditioning filter ............. 337
Automatic air conditioning 
system................................ 178
Steering switches ................. 185
Airbags
Airbag operating conditions .... 85
Airbag precautions for your 
child...................................... 88
Airbag warning light .............. 371
Curtain shield airbag 
precautions .......................... 91
Front passenger occupant 
classification system ............ 93
General airbag precautions .... 88
Locations of airbags ............... 82
Modification and disposal of 
airbags ................................. 92
Side airbag precautions.......... 88
Side and curtain shield airbags 
operating conditions ............. 85
SRS airbags ........................... 82
Alarm .......................................... 77
Antenna .................................... 195
Anti-lock brake system ........... 163
Armrest .................................... 272
Ashtrays ................................... 267
Audio input .............................. 216
Audio system Antenna ................................ 195
Audio input ........................... 216
AUX adapter ......................... 216
CD player/changer ............... 198
MP3/WMA disc ..................... 206
Optimal use .......................... 214
Portable music player ........... 216
Radio .................................... 191
Steering switches ................. 217
Automatic headlight leveling 
system ................................... 143 Automatic light control

system ....................................143
Automatic transmission Automatic transmission .........129
If the shift lever cannot be 
shifted from P......................393
S mode ..................................131
AUX adapter .............................216
Back-up lights Wattage .................................413
Battery Checking ...............................318
If the vehicle battery is 
discharged ..........................397
Preparing and checking 
before winter .......................170
Bluetooth
®................................220
Brake Fluid ......................................315
Parking brake ........................134
Brake assist ..............................163
Break-in tips .............................115
Care Exterior ..................................288
Interior ...................................291
Seat belts ..............................292
Cargo capacity .........................166
CD player/changer ...................198
Center display ..........................141
Chains .......................................172
Child-protectors .........................41
Child restraint system Definition .................................99
Installation .............................102
Installing CRS with lower 
anchorages .........................107
Installing CRS with seat 
belts ....................................103
Installing CRS with top 
straps ..................................108
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